Amtrak station needed

Thursday

Jan 10, 2013 at 12:01 AM

Editor: The one disappointing event of 2012 is the way that (the City of Lexington) treated the Lexington Chops collegiate baseball team and the owners, Thomas and Darlene Eaton. So I guess they will be playing in Winston-Salem when the 2013 season opens this summer. The good ole boys system is alive and well here with the city and the American Legion.

Editor: The one disappointing event of 2012 is the way that (the City of Lexington) treated the Lexington Chops collegiate baseball team and the owners, Thomas and Darlene Eaton. So I guess they will be playing in Winston-Salem when the 2013 season opens this summer. The good ole boys system is alive and well here with the city and the American Legion.This letter is a reflection and one of a hopeful vision for Lexington and its future. Now that (the city) has sealed the fate of Lexington and its ability to welcome a baseball team to enhance our city's sports and recreational opportunities, I hope 2013 will see Lexington's effort to bring Amtrak services here to our downtown Depot District (succeed).I work in Charlotte at the Charlotte Douglas Airport. Due to our car breaking down, I had to be creative to find a way to work. I am now commuting to Charlotte from Salisbury four days a week. There is a 2:08 p.m. train from Salisbury stopping in Kannapolis then on to Charlotte arriving at 3 p.m. At 3:15 there is a CATS bus that pulls up to the entrance of the Amtrak station and in about 13 minutes arrives at the CAT Transportation Center on Trade Street beside the Epicenter and across the street from Time Warner Arena. I then take the Sprinter bus to the airport. Round-trip train ticket cost is $19/21 and the bus ride is $2.I get off work around 11 p.m. so catching the return trip to the train station gets me back to the train station around midnight. I return back to Salisbury leaving Charlotte about 1:46 arriving in Salisbury at 2:30 a.m. The sooner Lexington can make this Amtrak station a reality the better because having such a station will attract supporting business opportunities, restaurants, maybe a hotel and new development ideas. It will be great opportunities for people of all ages to travel to visit families, vacation, jobs, and colleges, also sports events from Atlanta to New York City. And importantly it will welcome visitors to discover Lexington and attract individuals and young families looking for a great place that offers such a facility.This along with the long overdue and planned recreation center will be great attractions for Lexington quality of life amenities.Charlie AlexanderLexington